Oddbins Tasting Australia saw an enthusiastic crowd gather in Function Rooms 1 & 2 of the Art Gallery of South Australia to bid for over 600 lots of premium Australian wine.
Spurred on by auctioneer Stephen Lumb, who told the crowd as much as he would like to auction the odd painting or two hanging on nearby walls, he was not permitted to do so. Bidding was strong for many lots, with the bidders on the floor fighting it out with absentee and telephone bidders.
Interest was centred on the offering of lots from the Max Schubert collection, comprising rare unique and historic wines from the private collection of the creator of Penfolds Grange. An experimental bottling of a wine described as Penfolds Bin 13/95 Grange 1955/1963 achieved $2,497, a bottle of the wine considered to have been the greatest red wine made in Australia, Penfolds Bin 60A 1962 realised $2,837, and a 1961 Grange $1,816. The sale gave bidders a rare opportunity to purchase a piece of Australia’s wine history.
Penfolds Grange kept its place as Australia’s most famous and sought after wine with strong bidding on most lots. Among the top performers were a ½ bottle of 1953 $5,675, Grange Cabernet 1953 $8,626, 1955 $2,951 and 1971 $681.
Other wines to achieve good prices were Lindemans Bin 3110 Hunter Shiraz 1965 $397, Moss Wood Special Reserve Cabernet 1990 $204, Leo Buring Rutherglen Tokay 1948 $119 and Wynns Coonawarra Estate Michael Shiraz $2043.
The auction included some rare verticals, Jim Barry Armagh Shiraz 1985-1997 $136, Penfolds Bin 707 1976 - 1997 $158, Penfolds Magill Estate 1983 - 2000 $96 and Rockford Basket Press Shiraz 1984 - 1995 $136.
The sale also included large formats which were eagerly sought, one of the highlights being a unique offering of a double magnum (3 litres) of Moss Wood Cabernet Sauvignon which achieved $1,248.
The auction showed the demand for premium Australian wine was strong not only for Penfolds Grange but also for rare and historic bottles, as well as smaller boutique producers.